1 Corinthians 10

Warning against Idolatry

1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;[#Exod 13.21,22; Exod 14.22-29.]

2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3and did all eat the same spiritual meat;[#Exod 16.35.]

4and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.[#Exod 17.6; Num 20.11.]

5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.[#Num 14.29,30.]

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.[#Num 11.4.]

7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.[#Exod 32.6.]

8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.[#Num 25.1-18.]

9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.[#Num 21.5,6.; #10.9 Some early manuscripts have the Lord.]

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.[#Num 16.41-49.]

11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it .

14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?[#Matt 26.26-28; Mark 14.22-24; Luke 22.19,20.]

17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?[#Lev 7.6.]

19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20But I say , that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.[#Deut 32.17.]

21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?[#Deut 32.21.]

Do All to the Glory of God

23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.[#1 Cor 6.12.]

24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth .

25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience' sake:

26for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.[#Ps 24.1.]

27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast , and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake.

28But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:[#10.28 not found in best early manuscripts.]

29conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33even as I please all men in all things , not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.
Published by: American Bible Society